When Italian immigrants landed on American shores they were outsiders but over time this community moved from being ethnically suspect to being racially privileged. Asking "are Italians white?", this collection of essays explores how, when and why whiteness became important to Italian Americans.

This dazzling collection of original essays from some of the country's leading thinkers asks the rather intriguing question - Are Italians White? Each piece carefully explores how, when and why whiteness became important to Italian Americans, and the significance of gender, class and nation to racial identity.

"This book cuts to the heart of the similarities and the differences between Italian Americans and African Americans, which historically has been a volatile mix. I applaud this insightful scrutiny." -Spike Lee